Specialty Lighting

Want to take your home from Wonderful to WOW! ? Different techniques in specialty lighting can do just that. Area ambiance can go from being just another part of the home to a conversation piece.

For example, we built an onyx-topped bar for a client (see photos below) in an area that divides two rooms, then lit the onyx from underneath. That surely says WOW!

LED can lighting in ceilings and LED tape lighting under cabinets is also becoming more popular - and energy efficient!

The onxy-topped bar (middle of the photo) that spans two living spaces

Close-up of the onyx-topped bar

Question: What are some of the most interesting projects your firm has completed?

All of our projects are interesting, but a couple of our larger projects involved tearing down an existing home and building a new home, and totally gutting the interior of a home that had a living room and family room, and converting it to a great room plan.

Choice lots are getting harder to find, so tear downs and total renovations are becoming more common.

When you go into an established community and tear down a home, it presents special challenges. The main challenge is protecting adjoining property and keeping the neighbors happy.

During the design process we work especially hard to be sensitive to the character of the neighborhood.

Take a peek at a floor plan BEFORE tear down and AFTER.

Floorplan BEFORE Tear-down

Floorplan AFTER Tear-down

A Design Process: breathing new life into an outdated space!

We're often asked how to start a renovation project. Where do you begin? How do you breathe new life into an outdated space?

Follow us on a recent project:

BEFORE

We begin by evaluating your spaces and understanding your style and budget. How deep does the renovation or design change need to go? 

Then we prepare a sketch: 

 And finally - a whole new look!

AFTER

Get Creative With Applied Wood Molding

Applied wood moldings allow for all kinds of creativity in your home. Trim molding can be added to walls to create a frame or frames for design elements, such as mirrors or art.

For instance, if you have a wall that is 16 feet long and 12 feet high, you might want to want to add three frames  (each section would be 3 feet wide x 5 feet high) evenly spaced on the wall.  You then have the option to install mirrors, paint a contrast color, add tile or art inside the frame.  Great look! 

To get started, begin with  a pencil with an eraser and 1/4" graph paper.  Each 1/4" equals one foot. Draw your wall area, then sketch out shapes you would like to see on your wall.  This allows you to envision what the moldings will look like on your wall.

A headboard wall would be a fun project.  If you have a low ceilings trim can be added to give a coffered ceiling effect. Limitless options are possible with moldings! 

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...

Mirrors (on left) open the room and reflect the gorgeous view!

Mirrors - the decor miracle worker! 

Want to enlarge your space visually?  A mirror can give the allusion of width or depth, and can create a longer line of vision. 

Mirrors can draw attention away from a problem area.  For instance, perhaps a bathroom or kitchen opening off of a formal room is an element you want to hide. Mirrors on both sides of the opening diminish the attention of the opening and can reflect a pretty view from another part the room or the outside.

Naturally dark rooms can be made lighter with the use of mirrors.  Concave or convex mirrors become interesting art. A client recently installed a large mirror with a series of small convex pyramid shaped mirrors on a wall in her beach condo.  Wow! What a look!  It created a larger feeling of space and also acts as the featured art.

DESIGN TIPS: Drywall Detailing

Everyday, ordinary drywall can become a glorious design element with just a little bit of detailing and inspiration! 

For instance, by adding a top layer of drywall to  the  bottom third of an existing wall, you can cut in 2 foot by 2 foot squares the depth of the drywall layer. Add chair rail inside each square and to the top of the newly added drywall.

Bingo! You have created a wainscot. 

This is a great look in a dining room or study.  The wainscot can be painted with wall paint any color of your choice, or even enameled to look like wood. It can also be fauxed it to look like wood, which is much cheaper than real wood.

Let your imagination fly with drywall!

DESIGN TIPS: Architectural Detailing

Ceiling Details Can Change A Room

Maybe you have high flat ceilings and you'd like to add some interest to your ceilings.  

You can frame a detailed ceiling.  This will probably require the assist of an expert, unless you are really handy.  The more elaborate the design the more costly to have framed and drywalled.

You could  frame a 6"x6" soffit around the perimeter of the room, and add cross section 6"x6" wide, creating 4 recesses in the ceiling, this would be the most economical. Framed circles  in the middle of the room are gorgeous but are much more costly to build.